CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — A Camden firefighter has died after falling into the Delaware River and getting trapped under the ice.
Authorities said the firefighter was performing maintenance on one of the department’s boats at the Wiggins Marina around 11 a.m. this morning when he went under.
Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen said a massive rescue effort ensued and first responders from Philadelphia and Camden worked to get the firefighter out of the water, but it took around 30 minutes to locate him in the river.
“Times like this, you realize how fragile life is, and my prayers are with his wife, my prayers are with his brother, his kids. We are there in times like this in the city, we come together,” said Carstarphen.
He also said grief counselors are available for firefighters and everyone affected by the firefighter’s death.
“Literally firefighters are coming together to make sense of what happened,” said Carstarphen.
Officials have not named the firefighter, and only said that he was a man in his early 60s. They also said he was a husband and father, and that most of his family has been notified.
The medical examiner is also still determining the cause of death.